A solar power generation system for providing operating power for a desired application, the system includes one or more solar-array modules, wherein each of the one or more solar-array modules includes a multiplicity of solar cells and a high efficiency DC to DC power converter. The multiplicity of solar cells is arranged in strings of serial-units electrically connected in parallel to form a crisscross matrix array of solar cells, which matrix allows currents to bypass malfunctioning cells, thereby improving the performance of the system. The power converter includes fast MOSFET transistors having duty cycle that is operationally constant and is almost 50%. Optionally, the power converter includes a plus conductive pad and a minus conductive pad, wherein each of the strings of serial-units is individually wired to the plus conductive pad and the minus conductive pad.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A solar power generation system for providing operating power for a desired application, the desired application having a predetermined operating power level requirement and predetermined operating voltage level requirement, the system comprising one or more solar-array modules, wherein each of said one or more solar-array modules includes: a. a multiplicity of solar cells, wherein a preconfigured number of said solar cells are electrically connected in series to form a serial unit, and wherein a preconfigured number of said serial units are electrically connected in series to form a string of serial-units, said string of serial-units is facilitated to produce a first output voltage level; wherein a preconfigured number of said strings of serial-units are electrically connected in parallel to form an array of said solar cells, said array of said solar cells is facilitated to produce a first output power level; wherein in each of said strings of serial-units, at least one serial-unit is also electrically connected in parallel to its neighboring serial-units, to form a crisscross matrix array of serial units; and wherein said crisscross matrix array of serial units allows currents to bypass malfunctioning serial units; wherein the electrical connections within said crisscross matrix do not comprise switches; and b. a DC to DC power converter electrically connected to said crisscross matrix array of serial units, said power converter configured to boost said first output voltage level to a second output voltage level higher than said first output voltage level, wherein said power converter is configured in a push-pull configuration and comprises a plurality of transistors for alternately connecting the opposite sides in a primary of a transformer to a DC source, and wherein said converter is configured such that the operational duty cycle of said transistors is constant and a dead time between the switching time On to Off or Off to On of said transistors is less than 8% of the On or Off time periods.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein in each of said strings of serial-units, each serial unit is also electrically connected in parallel to the neighboring serial units of all other strings of serial-units, to form said crisscross matrix array of solar cells.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said converter is configured such that said second output voltage level is sufficient to meet the desired application operating voltage level requirement.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of said strings of serial-units consists of the same number of said solar cells electrically connected in series.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said power converter comprises MOSFET transistors.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a preconfigured number of solar-array modules are electrically connected in series to form a string of solar-array modules, wherein said array of solar-array modules produces a third output voltage level.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein said array of solar-array modules is configured such that said third output voltage level is sufficient to meet the desired application operating voltage level requirement.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein a preconfigured number of said strings of solar-array modules are electrically connected in parallel, to form an array of solar-array modules, wherein said array of solar-array modules produces a third output power level.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein said array of solar-array modules is configured such that said third output power level is sufficient to meet the desired application operating power level requirement.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said power converter comprises: a. a planar transformer including: i. a ferromagnetic core, wherein two window openings are formed at the opposing ends of said ferromagnetic core; ii. a primary coil; iii. a secondary coil; iv. input coil leads; and v. output coil leads; b. an input printed circuit, wherein receiving holes are formed in said printed circuit board, facilitating direct electrical connection to said input coil leads: and c. an output printed circuit, wherein receiving holes are formed in said output printed circuit, facilitating direct electrical connection to said output coil leads, wherein said input printed circuit and said output printed circuit are respectively disposed at said window openings of said ferromagnetic core, to thereby minimize the wiring length from said primary coil and said secondary coil to said input printed circuit and said output printed circuit, respectively.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of said solar-array modules further comprises a secondary, low power array of solar cells, used to start up said DC to DC power converter.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein said power converter includes a plus conductive pad and a minus conductive pad, and wherein at least one of said strings of serial units is individually wired to said plus conductive pad and said minus conductive pad.
13. The system of claim 1 , with the further proviso that said DC to DC power converter lacks an output coil.
14. The system of claim 13 , with the further proviso that at least one of an input capacitor or an output capacitor of said DC to DC power converter is not present.
15. The system of claim 13 , with the further proviso that both of an input capacitor and an output capacitor of said DC to DC power converter are present.
16. The system of claim 1 , with the further proviso that said DC to DC power converter comprises an output coil.
17. A solar power generation system for providing operating power for a desired application, the desired application having a predetermined operating power level requirement and predetermined operating voltage level requirement, the system comprising one or more solar-array modules, wherein each of said one or more solar-array modules includes: a. a multiplicity of solar cells, wherein a preconfigured number of said solar cells are electrically connected in series to form a serial unit, and wherein a preconfigured number of said serial units are electrically connected in series to form a string of serial-units, said string of serial-units is facilitated to produce a first output voltage level; wherein a preconfigured number of said strings of serial-units are electrically connected in parallel to form an array of said solar cells, said array of said solar cells is facilitated to produce a first output power level; wherein in each of said strings of serial-units, at least one serial-unit is also electrically connected in parallel to its neighboring serial-units, to form a crisscross matrix array of serial units; and wherein said crisscross matrix array of serial units allows currents to bypass malfunctioning serial units; and b. a DC to DC power converter electrically connected to said crisscross matrix array of serial units, said power converter configured to boost said first output voltage level to a second output voltage level higher than said first output voltage level, wherein said power converter comprises a plurality of transistors for alternately connecting the opposite sides in a primary of a transformer to a DC source, and wherein said converter is configured such that the operational duty cycle of said transistors is constant and a dead time between the switching time On to Off or Off to On of said transistors is less than 8% of the On or Off time periods; wherein said power converter includes a plus conductive pad and a minus conductive pad, and wherein at least one of said strings of serial units is individually wired to said plus conductive pad and said minus conductive pad.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein in each of said strings of serial-units, each serial unit is also electrically connected in parallel to the neighboring serial units of all other strings of serial-units, to form said crisscross matrix array of solar cells.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein a preconfigured number of solar-array modules are electrically connected in series to form a string of solar-array modules, wherein said array of solar-array modules produces a third output voltage level.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein said array of solar-array modules is configured such that said third output voltage level is sufficient to meet the desired application operating voltage level requirement.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein a preconfigured number of said strings of solar-array modules are electrically connected in parallel, to form an array of solar-array modules, wherein said array of solar-array modules produces a third output power level.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein said array of solar-array modules is configured such that said third output power level is sufficient to meet the desired application operating power level requirement.
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January 23, 2011
August 23, 2016
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